Should I tell people I think I’m getting laid off?

Only tell people you trust, mentors, former colleagues, or professionals like a resume writer or coach. Avoid sharing your concerns too widely within your company or network. Focus on the actions you can take now instead of broadcasting uncertainty.

Is it okay to start job searching before I get laid off?

Absolutely. Starting your job search before a layoff happens is one of the smartest things you can do. Quietly updating your resume, setting job alerts, and reconnecting with your network can shorten your unemployment window if the layoff does come.

How do I talk about being laid off in interviews?

You don’t need to go into deep detail. Keep your explanation simple and professional. For example, 'My role was part of a broader restructuring. I used the opportunity to reflect on my strengths and am now excited to bring my experience to a new role.'

How to Prepare for a Layoff in 2025 Without Losing Your Momentum

Layoffs don’t always come with a warning, but your response can. Whether you’ve heard whispers of budget cuts or just want to be proactive, knowing how to prepare for a layoff puts you in control. I’ve worked with clients across industries who sensed the shift before the announcement and used that time to protect their income and peace of mind.

Here’s what you can do today to stay ready, without panicking. And if you're wondering how to prepare for a layoff that might hit in 2025, these steps will give you the structure and confidence to stay one step ahead.

Why Companies Resort to Layoffs

Companies lay people off for a lot of reasons, and it’s not always about performance. Sometimes it's about cutting costs, reassigning priorities, or responding to external pressure from shareholders or the economy. In 2025, we’re seeing companies tighten budgets due to inflation concerns, shifting consumer demands, and increased automation.

Sometimes, entire departments get dissolved. Other times, it's just roles that leadership sees as less "business critical."

Understanding that layoffs are often strategic (not personal) can help you detach emotionally from the situation, and start thinking like a planner, not a victim.

The Early Warning Signs a Layoff is Coming

If you know what to look for, you can usually spot the early signs before anyone makes an official announcement. Here are a few I’ve seen over and over again:

Your company freezes hiring or cancels roles suddenly
Senior leaders start exiting or going silent
Budget reviews become more frequent, and projects are paused
Your workload mysteriously drops off
Your organization is requiring you to return to the office (in the hopes that staff will quit on their own so they don't have to provide severance packages).

One of my clients noticed her budget was reduced three quarters in a row. When her direct manager stopped scheduling one-on-one meetings, she took it as a cue to prepare. Two months later, layoffs hit. But by then, her resume was ready and she’d already started quiet outreach to recruiters.

How to Prepare Financially (Without Overreacting)

Money panic is one of the worst parts of a layoff, but you don’t have to go into crisis mode. Just take it one step at a time.

Start by identifying your current monthly essentials, housing, food, utilities, minimum payments. Build a cushion if you can. Even $1,000 saved in a separate account can give you peace of mind. Pause major non-urgent purchases or subscriptions.

Review your company’s severance and PTO payout policies now, not after the fact. Many employees don’t realize they’ve accrued weeks of paid time off that will be cashed out.

Next, understand what unemployment benefits and COBRA health coverage would look like in your state. It’s not fun research, but it’s empowering. You’ll feel more in control.

Career Strategy Before a Layoff

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Your resume is not something you should update after a layoff. The best time is when you’re still employed and have access to your wins, metrics, and project summaries.

Go through the last 6–12 months and write down:

Projects you led or contributed to
Metrics you improved
Any cross-functional teams or high-visibility initiatives

Next, update your LinkedIn profile. Use a clear headline that reflects your skills, not just your job title. Add 3–5 bullet points to each role. If you don’t know where to start, I offer resume and profile updates inside my career strategy sessions.

Finally, gather any work samples, reports, or results summaries that you legally can. Save them to a personal drive so you're not scrambling later.

Start Quietly Networking Now

This doesn’t mean you need to post “open to work” on LinkedIn. But it does mean reaching out to people you trust and respect.

Start by reconnecting with past managers, mentors, and former teammates. A simple message like “Hey, I’d love to catch up, let me know if you’re free for a virtual coffee soon” works well.

Join relevant industry groups or Slack communities. Attend low-pressure events or webinars. Show up, comment, share insights. The goal isn’t to ask for a job. It’s to remind people that you’re active and valuable.

I worked with a senior project manager who was part of three industry associations but hadn’t reached out in years. Once she reengaged, she had three referrals in less than two weeks.

Reclaim Your Story Before the Layoff Defines It

This is a big one. If you wait until you’re laid off to think about how you’re going to talk about it, you’ll default to stress or shame. That energy comes through in interviews.

Instead, prepare your message now.

Something like: “Due to a recent company-wide restructuring, my role was impacted. I’m incredibly proud of what I achieved there, including [insert results], and I’m excited to bring those skills to a new opportunity where I can continue to make an impact.”

Don’t dwell on what was lost. Focus on where you’re going.

Personal and Emotional Preparedness

Even when you do everything right, a layoff can sting. It can shake your confidence, disrupt your routine, and make you question your worth.

Prepare for that, too. Talk to a trusted friend, coach, or therapist. Write down the things you know you’re good at. Keep a folder of positive feedback from past jobs.

Build in small wins outside of work, exercise, journaling, volunteering, anything that reminds you that you have agency.

Your job is one part of your identity. If it changes, it doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re shifting.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Layoff

If the layoff does happen, try to pause before reacting.

Step one: review the severance offer in detail. You don’t have to sign anything on the spot. You can often negotiate for more weeks, more PTO payout, or extended benefits.

Step two: confirm how long your health insurance will last, and apply for COBRA or marketplace plans if needed.

Step three: file for unemployment. Even if you think you’ll land something soon, don’t skip this. It takes time to process.

Then, activate your job search plan. Start reaching out to the network you’ve already built, not just applying to job boards.

FAQs: How to Prepare for a Layoff

Only tell people you trust, mentors, former colleagues, or professionals like a resume writer or coach. Avoid sharing your concerns too widely within your company or network, especially if nothing is confirmed. The goal is to gather support and prepare behind the scenes without triggering unnecessary stress or speculation. Focus on the actions you can take now instead of broadcasting uncertainty.
Absolutely. Starting your job search before a layoff happens is one of the smartest things you can do. It doesn’t mean you’re being disloyal, it means you’re being responsible. Quietly updating your resume, setting job alerts, and reconnecting with your network can shorten your unemployment window if the layoff does come. Just be discreet and avoid using company time or resources to search.
You don’t need to go into deep detail. Keep your explanation simple and professional. Something like, “My role was part of a broader restructuring affecting multiple departments. I used the opportunity to reflect on my strengths and am now excited to bring my experience to a new role where I can continue delivering results.” Focus the conversation back on what you bring to the table.

About Career Coach and Author

Hi, I’m Elizabeth Harders, I’m a former recruiter turned career strategist who has spent years on the other side of the hiring table. I’ve seen thousands of cover letters—some great, most forgettable. Now, I help professionals craft applications that actually stand out and lead to interviews.
My specialty? Helping ambitious professionals land six-figure roles at Fortune 500 companies. Whether it’s fine-tuning a resume, optimizing a LinkedIn profile, or crafting a powerful cover letter, I make sure my clients present themselves as the best possible candidate for the job they want.
If you’re tired of sending applications into the void, book a free career strategy session.

What to Do Next

You can’t always control what happens in your company, but you can control how prepared you are. Whether your job feels stable or uncertain, having a plan keeps your momentum going and your confidence steady. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode.

If you're not sure where to begin or feel overwhelmed, let's build your layoff preparation checklist together. Book a Career Strategy Call and we’ll get your plan in place before layoffs become a reality.

Remember: You’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.